MISSOURI AMATEUR
SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION

2008 - Our 75th year of operation!

The Missouri A.S.A. Hall of Fame was instigated in 1986, with initial induction ceremonies held in Springfield in March of 1987. In 1993, the Hall of Blue, recognizing umpires, began and the Gordon Johnson Student Scholarship, to honor outstanding players at the high school level, was created in 1996.

Nomination forms are available from each local district commissioner or from the state office, 417-869-2120. The nomination deadline is September 15 for induction ceremonies during the Annual Convention the following February. For a nomination form, click here: FORMS

HALL OF FAME

The Missouri ASA Hall of Fame is divided into two categories: Playing Ability and Meritorious Service. Minimum requirements for Playing Ability include at least 10 years as an active player with proven ability at the state, regional, and national level. For Meritorious Service, a minimum of twenty years association with the Missouri A.S.A. is required with demonstrated service through involvement within the framework of the A.S.A.

The following recipients are acknowledged below: Howard Graff; 2000: Tim Davis; 2002: Kenneth Wormsley, Janice Crumpley-Bluebaum, Carole Myers, Bob McClish, Sam Potter, Larry Hale; 2003: Joe Bryant, Denver Dixon, Herbert "Junior" Williams, John Younger; 2004: Harvey Taylor, David Carroll, Bill McKinney, James, Vickers, Meierhoffer Softball Team; 2005: Kermit Daniel, Marvin Murphy; 2006: Ron Clawson, Ross Dey, Tim Blasi; 2007: Marty Albertson, Doug Middleton, Charley Slavens. Click on the link to the left to view Hall of Fame Recipients from 1987-1999.

2007 (The Resort at Port Arrowhead, Lake Ozark)

MARTY ALBERTSON - Lancaster - Albertson has a lengthy list of accomplishments over a 23-year career.  He participated in 10 Missouri ASA state tournaments, 20 ASA National Championships, and was named All-American four times.  His teams won two Mid-America ASA Regional Championships, one state championship and he was named to the ISC All-World First Team in 1988.

DOUG MIDDLETON - Blue Springs - Middleton's known as one of the best fast pitch pitchers ever to come out of Missouri.  He was a member of USA national Teams in 1992, 96, and 98 and was named the recipient of the Herb Dudley Award for outstanding pitcher at the 1998 ASA Men's Major Fast Pitch National Championship.  His teams also won national titles in 1991 and 1992 and he was named first team All-American in 1988 and 1998.  AS a junior player, his teams won four consecutive ASA National Championships.  Doug originally comes from Springfield.

CHARLEY SLAVENS - Springfield - Mr. Slavens pitched softball for 26 years in Missouri.  He was named to seven All-American and four All-Marine teams. He has played in 39 states and eight countries.  Charley  has been to 12 state championships and over 30 national tournaments.  In 1973, he set the record of 66-0 (including 12 no-hitters and one perfect game).  He also had the most strike-outs in one game, 42 (21 inning game, 1975).

2006 (February 10, Clarion, Springfield)

Playing Ability

TIM BLASI - Ozark - Blasi's softball career includes:  4 ASA State Championships, 3 ISC State Championships, 3 ISC League Championships, 6 ISC World Tournaments.  He was named ISC League MVP two times in 1990 and 1994; ASA 1st Team All-American (1993), 3rd Team All-American(1987); 2nd team All-World (1991); USOC Olympic Festival North Team Member (1994); 2004 40+ National-1st Team All-American.

ROSS DEY - Sedalia - Dey's list of accomplishments include: two years on the State Fair Community College (Sedalia) Baseball; he led the Central Missouri State University Mules to the MIAA Conference Championship; 2003 Pan Am Games Silver Medal; 2004 ISF-Fourth Place World Championship; 2004 40+ National Tournament-2nd Place-All-Tournament Team; 2005 ASA National Board of Directors; and 2005 ASA Player Selection Committee.

Meritorious Service

RON CLAWSON - Warrensburg - Clawson has had an extensive softball career, which includes participation in men's fast pitch softball for 42 years (1963-present), 31 state tournaments, played or managed 20 National tournaments, 8 world tournaments, and managed Bronze medal team in the 1987 Olympic Sports Festival.  During the span of Clawson's management career, he has had 34 players earn All-American status to date.

2005 (February 12, Zeno's, Rolla)

MARVIN MURPHY - Maryville - For more than 40 years, Murphy coached youth softball, especially pitchers. Teams such as the Citizen Banksters, Northern Stars and Trojanettes have all benefited from his expertise. He also worked with pitchers from the four state area and his students included two All-Americans. He served as pitching coach for NWMSU in 2003-04 but volunteered his services!

KERMIT DANIEL - Monett - Daniel's career at the state, regional and national level spans more than 30 years. He has been an ASA registered umpire every year since 1969. He served as UIC for 33 state tournaments, 15 regionals between 1984 and 2003 and attended 11 ASA National Umpire Clinics in Oklahoma City. He has worked the Far East Armed Forces Championship (1976), NCAA women's softball (1981-1996), the MIAA conference (1995-96) and served as the Mo. Valley Conference Championship UIC in 1994. He has umpired in four ASA National Championships and served as National Tournament UIC for eight nationals. He has served as Missouri State Umpire-in-Chief since 1987, has served as a member of the ASA National Council since 1991, is a member of the National Indicator Fraternity (1993) and the ASA Medals Program, gold level.

First time in Missouri ASA history, the accomplishments of this team were inducted into the Hall of Fame. The team's unprecedented run in Men's Major Fast Pitch created so many outstanding statistics, they cannot all be included here. The team was sponsored by Meierhoffer Funeral Home from 1997-2000 and the St. Joseph Frontier Casino from 2001-2003. The team won the ASA Major Fast Pitch National Title in 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2002, finished 5th in 1997 and 1999, and wound up 9th in 2003. They won the ISC World in 2002.

Playing Ability

JAMES H. "Lefty" VICKERS - Poplar Bluff/Springfield - In a career spanning 1948 to 1974, Vickers compiled an impressive list of accomplishments, both on the mound and with the bat. His teams played in seven state tournaments and five regionals at a time when very few teams qualified for either. His 1950 Peer Hardware team, Springfield, finished 3rd in the National Softball Congress World Tournament in Phoenix, AZ.

Meritorious Service

BILL R. McKINNEY, St. Joseph - McKinney played softball but was inducted due to his service to the sport. Following an honor-laden high school career in track, basketball and football, he went to University of Missouri to play football for the Tigers. At age 10, he had started playing church softball. His Morris Plan men's team won the state championship in 1963 and he went on to play for Walnut Products in the 70's. McKinney served on the St. Joseph Softball Board in the 70's and 80's and served as the St. Joseph Parks and Recreation Director starting in the mid-80's. His total softball career spanned over 50 years.

DAVID CARROLL - Maitland - The founder of the Trojanettes softball program in the early 80's, Carroll coached many hundreds of young ball players, expanding the program from a single team to nine teams in all age groups. He is known not just for his ability to teach softball, but to instill leadership skills, dedication, commitment and a desire for goal setting and attainment. He has been called the "glue" that holds the Trojanettes organization together and has volunteer thousands of hours to the betterment of that organization.

HARVEY TAYLOR - St. Joseph - A coach of boys' fast pitch teams in northwest Missouri, Taylor has taken numerous teams to state and national championships. His coaching career started in 1970 and his teams have finished well at each national tournament they participated in. His 1988 team won the national 12 & Under championship and other teams finished as high as third.

2003 (March 15, Best Western Capital Inn Jefferson City)

JOHN YOUNGER, St. Joseph - A fast pitch player since 1970, Younger has played in an amazing 34 state tournaments, 15 regionals, and 24 national tournaments. Most of Younger’s participation has been at the Major Fast Pitch level, and his participation has included one national title with Frontier Casino in 2001 and a third place finish with Harold’s Supermarket in 1986. In 1995, he was named First Team All American. He is known for being a pure contact hitter and has given many young players in the St. Joseph area a chance to play by coaching teams for more than fifteen years. Younger played in five ISC World Tournaments and in 1999 at age 50, became the oldest player ever to hit a home run in the ISC World.

HERBERT "JUNIOR" WILLIAMS, Springfield - Junior Williams was one of the most versatile players ever to play in Springfield, Missouri. He could play any position, but he is most remembered for being one of the nations top catchers, working behind the plate for the likes of Roy Burlison, Jack Burkhart, Gene Barr and many others. He had a tremendous throwing arm and few runners stole a base on him. He was also a speedy runner and a great base stealer. Williams played in twelve state tournaments, nine regionals and twenty-one national tournaments, including eight 40 & Over Fast Pitch Nationals and four 45 & Over Nationals. He was named Second Team All American for the Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals in 1972, 73, and 74. Williams also played in three Boys Fast Pitch Nationals in the 1950’s.

DENVER DIXON, Springfield - Dixon’s 28 year career including playing time in Iowa and Florida, and his credentials are impressive. His participation includes 14 state tournaments (8 with Missouri teams), 11 regionals (3 with Missouri teams) and 22 nationals (10 with Missouri teams). With Missouri teams, he played in five Men’s Major nationals and was named Second Team All America three times. He also played in five Men’s 40 & Over Fast Pitch Nationals. He participated in two National Sports Festivals (1979 and 81) and is the only player ever to play every position during a season for the Clearwater, Florida Bombers.

Meritorious Service

JOE BRYANT, De Soto - Joe Bryant’s list of accomplishments with the Missouri A.S.A. is as lengthy as it is varied. He has been a registered umpire every year since 1962. He served as a Deputy District Commissioner from 1971 to 1975, District UIC from 1974 to 1976 and was then named District Commissioner in 1976, a position which he still holds. He has umpired in three national tournaments and Tournament Director or UIC for countless youth and adult state tournaments over his 40+ year career. He has been a member of the Missouri A.S.A. Executive Committee since its inception, except for one year.

2002 (March 9, Clarion Inn, Springfield)

LARRY HALE - An outstanding lead-off hitter, Hale had great speed, a knack to get on base and was a threat to steal a base at any time. He played first base and the outfield and his stats include 20 state, 12 regional and 15 national championships. He also was selected to the US Sports Festival in 1979. He was a first team All-American in 1974 & 1975 and his teams won seven state and eight regional titles.

SAM POTTER - An iron man of fast pitch softball, Potter's career at 3rd base has spanned five decades. His career includes 23 Missouri state tournaments, 10 regionals, 23 national championships, one World Tournament in 1959 and the 1979 US Sports Festival. He was named second team All-American in 1966 and 1973 at the Men's Major Fast Pitch level. Six of his twenty-three nationals were at the major level and he has played in nine 40 & Over nationals, five 45 & Over and two 50 & Over nationals.

BOB McCLISH - Is considered one of the greatest hitters ever to play softball and at one time held six records at the Men's Major Fast Pitch level. In 1973 he was the National Championship MVP in Seattle, WA and his Missouri career spanned from 1967 to 1978. His career totals included four national, 4 regional and 6 state tournaments. Bob did not start playing softball until the age of 30, following a baseball career at the pro and semi-pro levels. He played in seven National Baseball Tournaments in Wichita, KS and was voted All-American in 1960.

CAROLE MYERS - Was a fast pitch and slow pitch player whose career began at age 13. She started at second base and outfielder, but moved to catcher after a few years. Her ASA career started in 1964 and includes two state championships with Foremost in women's fast pitch. She played with Southwest Missouri State University and helped guide the Lady Bears to a 2nd place finish in the 1970 college World Series and 3rd place finishes in 1971 and 1973. She is a member of the SMSU Hall of Fame. Myers played professional softball with the Michigan Travelers, Buffalo Breski's and the St. Louis Hummers. Her professional career spanned 1976-1979. Her slow pitch career was no less impressive, as her credentials include two state and one regional championship and five national championship appearances including a 15th place finish in 1983.

JANICE CRUMPLEY-BLUEBAUM - A Marionville, MO native, "Crump" started in major fast pitch in 1964 and switched to major slow pitch in 1974. Her teams won twenty-one state titles and she played in 8 regionals and 13 nationals, finishing as high as 5th with a Kansas City women's slow pitch team. She began as a left fielder but moved to infield for most of her career. She also served on the Springfield Amateur Softball Association Board for several years.

KENNETH WORMSLEY - Well known in northwest Missouri, Wormsley has impacted hundreds of softball. His 27-year career included work as a coach, team sponsor and team management, mostly with girls and women's fast pitch. his teams have been very competitive and he has helped many players move on to the collegiate level. Because of limited facilities in his hometown of Cowgill, Mr. Wormsley built and maintained his own softball field.

(2001 - No Hall of Fame Inductees)

2000 (March 11, Best Western, Jefferson City)

TIM DAVIS - At age 26, the youngest inductee into the Hall, Davis played in 13 state and national tournaments, finishing first in the 1994 nationals and taking the batting title with a .628 average. His first-base skills earned him one All-American selection and an invitation to the USA-ASA Olympic Festival. Tim died in a boating accident on the Missouri River.